MS84-01 Clarence L. Timberlake Papers

Collection Title: Clarence L. Timberlake Papers

Creator: Clarence Timberlake

Series Number: MS84-01

Processed and Cataloged by: Processed by Linda Bartnik in April of 1984. Updated by Sarah Hopley February 2016.

Date Listed: July 9, 2010

Inclusive Dates: 1914-1960

Quantity: 2.5 linear feet.

Number of Boxes: 7 legal size document cases.

Type of Material: Correspondence, newspaper clippings and photographs.

Condition of Material: Fair with some acidic deterioration of newspaper clippings and documents. the Negro Farm Conference, creation of the West Kentucky Vocational School. Also holds newspaper clippings, correspondence, speeches, photographs, and memorabilia.

Language: English

Arrangement: Organized by format of material; Chronological arrangement.

Abstract: Papers of the 20th century education and civil rights activist, Clarence Timberlake. The papers focus on improving African American education in segregated schools

Use Restrictions: None

Biographical / Historical Information: Clarence L. Timberlake was an African American activist who sought to improve and expand educational opportunities for black Kentuckians during the early and mid 20th Century. He was born in Fleming County, Kentucky in 1885. He graduated from Kentucky Normal and Industrial Institute in 1904 and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Simmons College in Louisville, Kentucky in 1930. Timberlake established a four year high school in Madisonville and teacher training schools at Pembroke and Greenville, Kentucky. He also organized Kentucky Negro Farmers Conferences from 1914 to 1948 and was president of West Kentucky Vocational School at Paducah from 1948 to 1957. He authored numerous pamphlets and articles on African American education, Kentucky politics and civil rights. He later was successful in sponsoring the first two black students from Kentucky to attend West Point Military Academy. He died in 1979.

Scope and Content: Collection consists of correspondence, speeches, photographs, newspaper clippings and journal articles related to Clarence L. Timberlake from 1914 to 1960. The papers contain information on Timberlake’s activities regarding African American education, civil rights and black history in Kentucky. Included with the papers are letters to members of the United States Congress, Kentucky State politicians and various educators. Significant subject files of note include those related to the Kentucky Negro Education Association, West Kentucky Industrial College and the Flood of 1937.

Subject Headings / Descriptors:

Timberlake, Clarence L., 1885-1979

Kentucky Negro Education Association

West Kentucky Industrial College (Paducah, Ky.)

Segregation in education – Kentucky.

African Americans – Kentucky – History – 20th century.

African American teachers – Kentucky.

Kentucky – Race relations.

Paducah (Ky.) – Flood, 1937.

Additional Sources: See The Timberlake Story by Osceola A. Dawson. Can be found in the Pogue Reading Room, E185.97.T55 D3

Box List

Box 1

1. Speeches By Timberlake
2. Articles by Timberlake
3. Addresses of the Presidents of Hampton Institute Tuskegee Institute
4. Biographical Material
5. Early Struggle for Education of the Blacks in the Commonwealth of Kentucky [Register, KY Historical Society] July, 1973
6. Articles, etc. [on newsprint] Keep separate from other papers!
7. Articles, Speeches by Others
8. Biographical Material on Other Individuals
9. Civil Rights Movement

Box 2

1. Educational Curricula
2. Earle C. Clements [newsprint articles]
3. Dunbar High School
4. Education: General Topics
5. Dunbar High School- Morganfield, KY [newsprint articles]
6. Clements (Earle C.) Correspondence

Box 3

1. Elections, Local
2. Events and Topics of Interest
3. Flood, 1937
4. Hampton, Institute Papers
5. Health: Programs, National Negro Health Month
6. Kentucky State College
7. Kentucky Teachers Association (correspondence, not journals)
8. Kentucky Negro Education Assoc. (correspondence, not journals)
9. Hopkins County Humane Society
10. Frankfort Clarion

Box 4

1. Correspondence, Congressional
2. Madisonville Colored Public School
3. Paducah Atomic Plant Controversy
4. Miscellaneous Clippings
5. Miscellaneous Correspondence
6. Photos
7. Poetry or Lyrics
8. Paducah Negro Citizens Assoc.
9. Negro Farmers Conferences

Box 5

1. Retirement
2. Political Material, Misc.
3. "Politics and the School"
4. Public Speaking Course
5. Religious Material
6. Rosenwald High School

Box 6

1. Kentucky State Fair Participation
2. Union County Schools
3. Union Town Colored School
4. Vocational Training
5. West Kentucky Industrial College
6. West Point Cadets
7. Winchester Colored High School

Box 7

1. Misc. Journals, Notebooks